After a price increase of over 500 percent, the company that makes the lifesaving drug epinephrine has come under fire. The reason behind the increase: The manufacturer has a virtual monopoly on the product, forcing many to shell out hundreds for the drug.

“In 2008 you could get a box of two for just over $100. Today it's over $600,” pharmacist Jim Quinley said.

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Patients with severe allergies carry the trademark Epipen, a device that can mean the difference between life and death. However after the skyrocket in prices, doctors worry their patients won’t be able to afford the cost, putting their lives at risk.

“We know that the sooner you take the epinephrine the less likely you are to die from these allergies. And my worry is that someone is not going to have their Epipen because it was too expensive and they're going to die,” Doctor Daniel Brooks said.

Both Brooks and Quinley understand just how important an Epipen is for those with severe allergies. A dose of epinephrine can provide a patient precious minutes to reach a hospital.

“There was a gentleman last summer that died because he got stung by a bee and wasn't able to get to an Epipen in time. So some people have serious life threatening allergic reactions so you have to take it pretty seriously,” Quinley said.

To fight the cost increase some pharmacies have begun to sell Epipens individually instead of in the twin pack they traditionally come in.